Navigation

Retirement Living 'get together' in memory of Jo Cox

A community event, The Great Get Together, was held at our Haybridge Hall Retirement Living Scheme, in Hadley, last week, seeing young and old gathering together with their picnics and teddybears!

Refreshments and cakes were provided free throughout the day by the Trust. There was a range of entertainment including songs from our employee choir Raise the Roof, our own Jake Thorpe, as well as spots from entertainers Darren Carpenter, a troupe of fantastic bhangra dancers and singer Chloe-May.

There was also a tombola, jewellery stall, nail painting, a memory tree, mini table tennis, pitch and putt, mini art class and caricature sketches. Visitors had the chance to meet and speak to members of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and could visit a RVS (Royal Voluntary Service) stall. There was also the chance to design a clay tile, which would be fired and the installed in the grounds of Haybridge Hall at a later date. Haybridge Hall is undergoing a major redevelopment at the moment and visitors were invited to share their memories of the hall too.

Margaret Bailey, 78, who lives at the Trust's Highfield House Retirement Living Scheme said: "Days like this are great because they bring the whole community together. Being a part of The Wrekin Housing Trust is wonderful – without them we wouldn't get out or go anywhere. They add some fun to life."

The day was held to honour the late MP Jo Cox and raise awareness of her loneliness commission. The event also raised funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance and Hope House charities. Hadley Learning Community helped with the preparation for the event and pupils took part in the day.

Retirement Living Co-ordinator, Carol Preece, said: "It was a great event and wonderful to see so many people turn up with their teddy bears for this special day. The musical entertainment was fantastic and I'm sure a wonderful day was had by all."

Churchway and Beaconsfield also held their summer fete this last weekend and raised just over £410 for the great get together from a BBQ raffle, tombola, nail bar and Avon stall - everyone had a great day and the weather was surprisingly good.